Monday, May 5, 2014

Tranny is Not a Four-Letter Word!

I have sat on the sidelines watching while the word “tranny” was hijacked by people who have little or no regard for our community and use the word as put-down and/or insult.

Instead of reclaiming the word, some of our community have declared the word to be verboten. Trannies should stop using the word and anyone outside the community who uses the word should be called out for political incorrectness.

This did not sit well with me.

I like the word “tranny” and have been using it forever. Although I have not used the word much here in the blog, I use it in conversations with trannies and non-trannies alike without giving it a thought.

Since I am the biggest tranny around, the folks who hear me use the word know I am not putting myself down when I use the word. And most of the non-trannies I converse with are probably not even aware that anyone considers it a put-down.

So WTF — I am going to do my part to reclaim the word as our own by freely using it in writing as well as in conversation.

Warning! Wilma Robinson — This blog is no longer a “tranny” free zone.

(For more on this topic, please read Zagria’s take on tranny, which inspired me to write this.)

13 comments:

I agree with much of what you have to say and regarding the use of the word tranny I could not agree more. I actually like the word. I find the term light and airy and generally friendly. When I am out and about I have not hesitated to use the word to describe myself because I find it to be more inclusive than exclusive.Lets take it back and take the sting and derrogation out of the word.Pat

It is getting to the point where I am afraid to comment on Trans issue because of the political correctness that seems to dominate discussions. There seems to a lot of finger wagging and language police. Recently we have seen Katie Couric, Peirs Morgan, Ru Paul all attacked. They may be imperfect supporters but they are not our adversaries in the fight for equal rights. Why turn them against? Instead of attacking perhaps temperate correction may have done more to help our community in the long run? Ironically I’ve seen this type division in a church I belonged to, a holy than thou attitude as Elders dissected scripture and wording to fit their beliefs and agenda. “I am more Transgender than you! You used this word so you are bad. You asked this question you are a hater!” Let’s work this out as a family. True brothers and sister different but bonded together by shared trial and tribulation. After all the reason we are united together in the first place is because we are different than the mainstream, so it only makes sense to tolerate those differences amongst us.

Well said, Stana. Words and labels are what we make of them, and so long as we're willing to claim them, cherish them, and embrace them, nobody else has the right to tell us we're wrong to use them. That's why I made the very clear, explicit declaration on my blog that "We are open to and welcoming of all positive explorations of the trans* experience, regardless of the labels used."

The word itself to me conjures up Rude Paul and the queens- suggesting I am anything like them-which they do-and I'm NOT! Luckily, the gay venues I happen to frequent are finally being educated to how I identify.They don't use the "Tranny" word with me and don't use the "F_g" word with them. (Thank God for all the hell Glaad raised with the Logo Channel.)

As with any word, it's not so much the word, it's who is using it too- At the last Trans Ohio meeting I went to, I heard a gay man go out of his way to tell us how tranny was their word (instead of queen) and is used such as the "N" word is in black society.

So, if you are discussing "reclaiming" the word, you must look from where you are reclaiming it from- a gay society which is as transphobic as any other.

I have felt also, those who do use the word, do it on the basis of where they identify. I have a close trans girl friend who calls herself a "crazy tranny". I just ask her is she now a drag queen? and let the discussions begin!!!!

Finally, I believe completely in a person's right to free speech. (You all are free to call yourselves whatever you like!) But I also believe much of this "label" turmoil" is embedded in the "older" transvestite segment of our population-like me. Stana, you have contact with the younger gen- I just don't hear the tranny word from them- you can speak to it too of course. I think the younger gays and society as a whole are learning to know better and understand why transgender people feel the way we do.

Thank you for "coming out" on this topic. I agree - the word is what it is, and those who need to make themselves feel they are "better" than others will always find a way to elevate their own ideas and ideals at the expense of the feelings of others. I am a tranny and proud of it!

1) I think "tranny" is used innocently in many European countries. I don't think it has a negative connotation in the British Isles, Scandinavia, and other areas. It's interesting that some folks consider the word "transvestite" as negative, while "crossdresser" is OK. "Crossdresser"'s root means "across dressing" which is exactly the same as the root of "transvestite". Like "tranny", "transvestite" seems to be considered negatively in the USA, but OK in other parts of the world. I think the word "crossdresser" came into frequent usage around the 1970's; before that, "transvestite" was used universally for those who "cross-dressed". Of course, nowadays, "tranny" can refer to crossdressers, transsexuals, and other gender-variant folks who (at least sometimes) wear the clothing normally associated with the opposite sex.

3) Stana, I have not posted in about 5 weeks. I was out-of-state for those 5 weeks: first at the very enjoyable Keystone Conference in Harrisburg, Pa; then, 4 weeks in the Washington, DC area. My 4-week accommodations in the DC area had no WiFi, and I limited my internet browsing so as to not run up huge cellular data charges. I occasionally read FEMULATE on my iPhone, but did not post. I'm back in Tampa now. It's good to see FEMULATE on my big laptop PC screen.

I agree with Cyrsti - sorry but it's not just an abbreviation of a word, it's an abbreviation of us... to me it lessens who we are ... And I'm not part of a car. It's not a dignified word and it doesn't provide dignity to our community or to me as an individual. When I make reference to our community I always say "other transgender individuals' or "a transgender friend.' And out of respect for all of you I will continue to do so! :-)

I agree with Cyrsti - to me it's not just an abbreviation it's an abbreviation of who we are ... it tends to lessen us as a community and as individuals (in my humble opinion) - And I'm not part of a car. I also find it a harsh and unflattering word, and it offends the sense of dignity I try to convey to the world when I'm out and about. When I make presentations I always say "the transgender community" or "a transgender friend" - and out of respect for all of you I will continue to do so! (and I haven't heard the younger generation say "it" either, I think they understand it to be a slang and regressive term and offensive)

I think it's all in the manner in which it is used. If malice is present, it is offensive. But between two ladies, whats the big deal. Not unlike two african americans using the N word between themselves.

What's in a word that has so many different meanings to so many different people?

In other countries (not the USA) where I've been the word "fag" is often used to describe me, especially when I'm feminenly (sp) dressed. This slur usually come along with a few thrown [I don't know if they're empty!] beer bottles and it's the only slur used. I do not believe Tranny ever was!

Tranny doesn't bug me, but can we stop calling models like Boris Aprel and Andreij "androgynous"? There's nothing androgynous about them-- they're flat out feminine (which is fab and I love them!) And maybe for awhile in the "femulate her" spot, you could feature more average women, women who look like our moms and sisters, who aren't "reach for the stars" gorgeous, but instead women who are "reach for reality" gorgeous? I mean, I know a lot of BEAUTIFUL women that I would give anything to be like, but they don't look as air-brush-perfected as the women in Vogue or Cosmo, but they're amazingly stylish and accomplished and absolutely perfect! It's an idea-- what do you think?